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I, Ruth and the Soft Drink Debate

June 24th, 2010 | Written by iRUTH
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I, Ruth am careful what I eat and drink.  I, Ruth also exercise every day.  I am very strict with my patterns and do not allow much deviation (my friends would most agree with this statement).  However, I decided that I wanted to deviate – not be so hard on myself all the time – Yes, I decided that I wanted a soft drink- a nice fizzy, carbonated soft drink.  I, Ruth have not had a soft drink or pop or Coke in so long.  I am dreamy just thinking about it.  I decided it was my mission to find a soft drink that did not have artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup.  I, Ruth went to a local store and went to the drink aisle.  There were so many choices of drinks, which overwhelmed me.  The soft drinks that fit my criteria were double the price.  Yes, double.  I, Ruth debated in the store if it was worth it and I should probably just leave.  I, Ruth debated if I should just give up my criteria of artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup and get something affordable.  I, Ruth wanted to give into my indulgence and just buy the drink that I wanted.  Isn’t that what we all do anyway?  Debate ourselves on what we want versus what we really need.  Did I really need this drink?  Did I really want to pay the extra expense?  Why is the healthy choice always the most expensive?  All I know is that I wanted my drink and after I debated this is in the grocery aisle – I was about to give up the soft drink idea and move to something harder (just kidding).  I bought my bottled Coca Cola and left on my way skipping like a child leaving a candy store.  Did I run an extra mile because of the calories – you bet!  Was it worth yet – you bet!  Does this have anything to do with green living – yes.  Green living is making healthier choices for our world and for our self.  Is this a win for everyone – not sure – that would take more debating.  Was this a win for I, Ruth – Oh yes, indeed!

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Eco Face Brushes

April 19th, 2010 | Written by Anne Fisher
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I’ve been in need of a new cosmetic brush for a few weeks – my old one is splayed in every direction and drops bits on me every morning – but hubby does the shopping usually and I haven’t remembered to ask him.  Not that he would have a clue what to buy anyway.  So he’s working overtime today and I did the grocery shopping.  I remembered the brush but wasn’t sure what kind of selection a grocery would have.  I am so very pleasantly surprised!  I found a brush made by ecotools – bamboo (sustainable) handle, cruelty free bristles, recycled materials – yes!  And the (reusable) package says the parent company “has joined with 1% for the Planet to donate 1% of annual sales from this item to environmental organizations”.

That’s what I’m talking about!  Put it out there and I will buy it.  Was it more expensive than the others?  I don’t know – I didn’t look at the prices on the others.  Retailers – hear this…

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The idea of TAPRic

April 19th, 2010 | Written by iRUTH
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I, Ruth love the idea of Tapric – VHS and cassette tapes that have long ago “dumped” and replaced with compact discs.  Tapric is using this “dumped” tape, spooling and making unique items such as purses, place-mates, wallets, etc.  I, Ruth have been sending and shipping samples of Tapric to many companies for their review and distribution.    When shipping, I use corn starch peanuts (a green alternative) rather than Styrofoam.  What is interesting to me is one “green” company e-mailing me a letter stating that since I used Styrofoam while packing my Tapric that I did not meet their minimum green requirements.  I, Ruth Dilemma – If this company is “green” then wouldn’t they know the difference between Styrofoam and Corn Starch peanuts?  Do I educate this company on the difference?  Defend my honor of being green?  I, Ruth decided that none of the above was suitable – my company and their company would not be a good fit and decided to do nothing – period (simply stated).  All, please be careful when working with companies that are “green” – in some cases they are not!  This is a neutral for the environment, a win for I, Ruth and lose for the other company.

To see some of the TAPRic products, click here.

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“Living Green” expo…

April 19th, 2010 | Written by iRUTH
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I, Ruth went to a “living green” expo this weekend.  I saw solar panel displays, composting seminars, landscaping ideas, vegetarian items and much more.  My child loved the many kid friendly items and educational demonstrations.  We were really “WOW-ed”

I, Ruth Humor – I, Ruth noticed there were two concession stands – one outside that had a small line and one inside that had a very long line.  I, Ruth asked the stand outside what the difference was – to which his response – this one is healthy eating and the one inside is not.  I went inside and looked at the menu and sure enough I saw hotdogs, candy, potato chips, etc.  This intrigued me that although most everyone at the expo wants to “live green” and yet hog down on some hot dogs.  I, Ruth did find humor in this.

I, Ruth Unsolved dilemma – the expo claiming “zero waste” and yet, one booth had four bags full of waste – the waste of sample plates that were being circulated through the crowd and then disposed in the bags.  Now, I began to think about this.  How do I take a food item – and get it into the hands of potential customers – and do so with zero waste?  Washing the dishes would take too long.  I, Ruth really haven’t figured out this dilemma (if anyone does – please share).

I, Ruth Solved dilemma – I also saw companies having customers write down their personal information on paper to be contacted at a later point.  First of all, why use paper? and second – I don’t want my personal information left on a table for everyone to read.  I, Ruth am very personal that way.  I, Ruth dilemma – I really wanted the free T-shirt but didn’t want to provide on paper my personal information.   This dilemma was rather easy for me to solve (unlike the one stated above) – I, Ruth provided incorrect information on the paper and I got my free t-shirt.  This may not be exactly honest, but I attributed to the fact that the company wasn’t exactly green by using the paper to begin with.

Overall, my experience at the expo was fun and educational.  I think “living green” is making much progress every moment, every hour, every day and every year.  I think this is definitely a win for all of us – including I, Ruth.

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Online Payments vs. Paper….

January 15th, 2010 | Written by Anne Fisher
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My husband and I have been trying to pay all of our bills on-line for the last couple years.   This makes sense to me because it saves money (stamps), paper (envelopes) and gas (mailperson).  We haven’t had any problems with security or lost payments.  Sometimes the timing is a little off, but that’s my fault and would happen if I put it in the mail too, I’m sure.  Having gained confidence in this process, I accepted the offer from one of our utility companies to have the bill delivered on-line.  Hmm.  Not so successful with this.  If we don’t pay it immediately when it comes in, it easily becomes lost in the window full of new email, and it has caused us to send it late more than once.  We try to force ourselves to pay it the day we open the email – but occasionally I’m busy with something else or get distracted before it gets done.  It seems easier having my paper bill in the kitchen with my little note of the date to pay.  So, another service provider started sending us on-line bills.  I yelled into the next room to my husband – “Do we really want to have this on-line?  Can we keep up with two right now?”  He said “Don’t worry about it – they’re still sending the paper anyway.”  More conversation on the subject brought out that both of our employers have invited us to accept on-line copies of newsletters, which we did, but continue to send the paper too!  I’ll try to deal with more on-line billing to save paper, but come on, Corporate America!  If you say we’re getting it on-line, then ix-nay the aper-pay!

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Traumatized Amanda

January 14th, 2010 | Written by Amanda
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I love plants.  I always have a garden and when it is too cold I always have a greenhouse.  Considering the weather now – I am in greenhouse mode.  Anyway, my greenhouse was a topic of a neighborhood meeting one day.  Then what I can’t understand, but this is how the story goes – the neighbors stated that I must be growing illegal plants in my greenhouse because I am too happy all the time.  There was a police officer in the meeting, who then reported my greenhouse to cohorts.  I was then seized in my backyard with my tiny greenhouse being ambushed.  Needless to say, I did not have any illegal drugs.  Also, I have been getting letters from my HOA regarding my greenhouse which I will discuss in another blog.  I know I have commented in the past about my dislike for HOA and having zero IQ but now I realize that the HOA and the neighbors have a dislike for me.  Point of the blog – Please remember that being happy does not necessarily mean illegal drugs.  It is going to be an interesting year once I get over the trauma.  The new name of this blog for now will be Neighbors have a Zero IQ.

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I, Ruth is a Big Whimp

January 14th, 2010 | Written by iRUTH
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I, Ruth decided to stop by a well known coffee shop the other day. I had not given myself this indulgence in a quite a while. I parked my car, with my to- go mug in hand, and went into the shop to wait in line. It finally became my turn and I requested the flavor of the day. I, Ruth then presented my to-go mug to the person. I, Ruth am excited because I remembered my to-go mug from home earlier and didn’t have to debate the whole Styrofoam issue in my head (see previous blog). I watched as this person began to sterilize my to-go mug – by using very hot water before pouring my coffee. Now, wait a minute (in my head again)! This person is taking my good deed for the day by not using Styrofoam to do something equally horrific – which is wasting water sterilizing my mug! I, Ruth rinsed my to-go mug before I left home – now I am wasting more water by watching the person re-clean my mug! I survey the area. There is a long line behind me. Do I scream “Stop cleaning my mug”! Do I just let the water waste and know next time to provide specific instructions not to clean my mug? Then my thought pattern changes – Do I look like a dirt bag that my mug needs to be cleaned? Is this done for all the customers? How much water is wasted anyway here? As I am debating this issue, the mug had been cleaned and my coffee pour completed. I sheepishly said thank you, paid and left with my tail between my legs. So there you go. For my best intentions to make a choice to save the world one little task at a time – was completely overridden! This is a big zero for the environment and a zero for I, Ruth especially for being a big wimp!

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Recycling Pays!

December 10th, 2009 | Written by Anne Fisher
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Anne StreetI live in a city that provides each home with a big blue garbage can on wheels for recycling paper, glass and plastics.  All I have to do is save them up and twice a month wheel the can out to the alley where the city can pick it up.  No sorting, no bagging, no trips to the recycling plant.  It’s easy.  And even more, the city gives me points for how well my neighborhood does at recycling.  I can redeem these points for various coupons and discounts.

My first redemption is a coupon good for $10 off my purchase at a popular pharmacy.  It has been sitting at home for several months – I’m lucky – very good health.

Last week my office set up a “Toys for Tots” box.  And in the mail I received an ad from my hair salon offering $5 off my next service if I bring a Toy for a Tot to them.  So…I will take my $10 coupon to the pharmacy and buy two toys.  Then I’ll take toys to both my office and my salon, and I’ll get $5 off my haircut!

What a win-win!  The needy kids get toys, almost for free; I get $5 off my haircut and the pleasure of giving to the needy; and the earth is improved by my neighborhood’s recycling.  That’s what I’m talking about!!!

Happy Holidays!  PS – recycle that wrapping paper!

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I, Ruth Holiday Season

December 10th, 2009 | Written by iRUTH
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RuthI, Ruth am faced with a challenging dilemma – to give and receive presents during this holiday season – recycling or re-gifting presents.   I do not want a box of chocolates, a gift set of cocoa, tin of pistachios – no food items – please.  I don’t want nail clippers, or manicure set.  No cheap make-up box sets or perfume sampler sets.  Do I look like I want or need this stuff?  Is buying the gift more important than receiving the gift?  Showing someone you thought of them?  Please, then, don’t think of me during the holiday season.  I am stuck with gifts that have nothing to do with me and everything to do with you.  Do I recycle and re – gift?  Then I, Ruth would be doing the same.   In this one instance, in this one time – do not recycle.  Stop before it even gets to the recycle part.  Do not consume the crap.  Stay away from the crap.  Put down the crap.  Anything but crap – please!  Buy instead – plants, herb gardens – bring home a dog or cat from an animal shelter.  Save a life.  Give money back from your carbon footprint.  And if you really donate money to a charity – please really do so (remembering George on Seinfeld).  All in all – please remember the person you are buying for – buy them what you know they would like and enjoy – not something that is easy for you.  It is not about the gift but about the person.  This is easily forgotten in our haste to mark a name off a list and our lack of time to get everything done.  I would rather my name not be on your list and take that time that would have been on me – and spend it on you.  Spend time with your family, your children and your significant other – decorate a tree outside – take time to smile and breathe – and enjoy your day – your season and your life!  Give the gift to yourself.  This is my gift to you.  I, Ruth wish everyone a very healthy and very happy holiday season!  This will be a win for I, Ruth and a win for you too!

—–Happy Holidays, R

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Organic Cigars!!

October 30th, 2009 | Written by Richard Miles
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richardSorry I have been away, but as all my buddies say, “I have been in trouble with the wife.”  Yapp yapp..  So I have been in the mancave a lot and have been enjoying my newest find.  Organic Cigars!  Yes, something that I enjoy, now is organic.  I am on the second box of Plasencia Reserva Organica Robusto cigars.  So being in trouble has not been too bad.  While enjoying my new find, I am researching other organic man stuff.

These cigars are smooth, clean, and is a refreshing smoke!  No aftertaste, and I can imagine not breathing pesticides or herbicides.  I look forward to coming home after a hard day, which starts at 4 am and easing into my giant chair and lighting up in my mancave.  To watch hunting on my flat screen, have a fine single malt Scotch, and new newest find, Organic Cigars.  Thank you Plasencia!!!

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